Device for binding articles into a unit for ease of handling

ABSTRACT

A device for binding articles into a unit for ease of handling, the articles individually having openings with opposed corners, the device having a frame with opposite ends adapted for insertion through the openings of the articles with the frame in juxtaposition to the individual corners; a stop plate secured at one end of the frame in substantially right-angular relation thereto for engagement with an adjacent article; and a removable confining plate borne on the frame remote from the stop plate for capture of the plurality of articles on the frame between the plates.

United States Patent Tatham Oct. 28, 1975 DEVICE FOR BINDING ARTICLES INTO A 3,378,183 4/1968 Ferrer 211/49 R UNIT FOR EASE 0 HANDLING 3,443,831 5/1969 Grange 214/10.5 R 3,578,177 5/1971 Paden 211/49 R Inventor: Gerald R Tatham, 5607 p y 3,800,959 4/1974 Finocchiaro et a]. 211/49 R 93727 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Flled: 13, 1974 413,727 4/1965 Switzerland 214/1015 R [21] App]. No.: 442,248

Primary Examiner-William I. Price Assistant Examiner-Joseph M. Moy [52] US, Cl. 206/493; 182/1782; Attorney Agent or Fi,m Huebner & worrel [51] Int. Cl. B65D 73/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 206/493, 526, 303; A device for binding articles into a unit for ease of 182/178, 179; 211/49 R, 59 R; 248/226 B, h th l u h 316A 214/105 R 105 S an mg, e a ices 1n 1v1 ua y avmg openings with opposed comers, the devlce havmg a frame with opposite ends adapted for insertion through the open- [56] References cued ings of the articles with the frame in juxtaposition to UNITED STATES PATENTS, the individual corners; a stop plate secured at one end 2,137,737 11/1938 Wenzel 211/49 R of the frame in substantially right-angular relation 2,245,873 6/1941 Woller 211/49 R thereto for engagement with an adjacent article; and 21 23731694 2/ 1959 Jaskowiak 214/10-5 R removable confining plate borne on the frame remote g g from the stop plate for capture of the plurality of artiunmng amm. 2,959,293 11/1960 Meyer 211/49 R Cles on the frame between the plates 3,265,224 8/1966 Skubic 2l4/10.5 R 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures U.S. Patant Oct. 28,- 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,915,303

Sheet 2 of 3 US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet30f3 3,915,303

Him.

DEVICE FOR BINDING ARTICLES INTOA UNIT FOR EASE OF HANDLING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for binding articles into a unit for ease of handling and more particularly to such a device which is adapted conveniently and efficiently to be employed to bind a plurality of articles, such as scaffolding frames, together in a single unit of structural rigidity for ease of handling, storing and transporting.

The prior art patents such as the Flamm US. Pat. No. 2,172,196; the Gordon US. Pat. No. 2,338,930; the Miller US. Pat No. 2,476,753; the Cover et al. US. Pat. No. 2,921,423; the Steinbock US. Pat. No. 3,279,591; the Halsberghe US. Pat. No. 3,419,138; and the Black US. Pat. No.'3,547,258 disclose devices primarily intended for use in binding a plurality of radially symmetrical objects together. As such, they constitute prior art devices which are subject to limitations which, it will become apparent, the device of the present invention has overcome.

Business and industry frequently have need for handling, storing, or transporting a plurality of substantially identical articles. Conventional practices include individual hand loading and storing of such articles, individual packaging of such articles, or the binding of a plurality of such articles into a single unit using bands of metal, rope, or the like. All of these practices are time consuming, expensive and do not result in the satisfactory integration of such articles to afford ease of handling while protecting the articles individually from damage.

Some prior art devices, such as those disclosed by the above noted prior art patents, have facilitated the binding of certain types of articles into a unit for subsequent handling. However, such devices are capable of satisfactorily binding together only radially symmetrical articles such as film reel containers, barrels, tires, spools, and the like. Such articles are conventionally bound in axial alignment and since they are thus symmetrical to their common longitudinal axis, rotational movement relative to this common axis does not interfere with the structural integrity of the unit nor does it result in damage to the individual articles.

Heretofore, no prior art device has permitted the convenient and efficient uniting of a plurality of nonsymmetrical or monosymmetrical articles such as scaffolding frames. In the construction industry this problem is particularly acute since such frames, adapted to support scaffolding in construction work, are employed by the hundreds and in some cases in the thousands at construction sites. Such frames are frequently shipped from one construction site to another as needed and in some cases over great distances. Conventionally, such frames are simply individually hand loaded into the back of a truck in stacked relation for transportation to another construction site. In some cases where time is of the essence, such frames are individually thrown into a truck without any semblance of order. Not only is such hand loading time consuming and expensive, but such loads frequently shift during transport so as to damage the frames, the truck and to require reloading.

A less common practice in the construction industry is manually to bind a plurality of such frames together in stacked relation using bands of metal. This practice is also unsatisfactory in that the binding operation is te- 2 dious and expensive requiring many man hours to complete. Further deficiencies reside in the fact that over extended periods of time the bands loosen to allow the frames to become displaced with respect to each other and to permit the load to shift. Furthermore, the bands frequently break under stress.

Therefore, it has long been recognized that it would be desirable to have a device which would permit the binding of a plurality of other than radially symmetrical objects into a compact and structurally rigid unit preventing individual displacement of the objects relative to each other while permitting the handling of such units by mechanical rather than manual means and wherein the binding operation can be performed reli ably and expeditiously without the danger of the units loosening or breaking apart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for binding articles into a unit for ease of handling.

Another object is to provide such a device which permits a plurality of other than radially symmetrical articles to be bound into a single structurally rigid unit for ease of handling, storing and transporting.

Another object is to provide such a device which prevents the individual articles of each unit from shifting relative to each other during handling.

Another object is to provide such a device which is not susceptible to loosening or structural failure during use.

Another object is to provide such a device which dependably and expeditiously permits the binding together of a plurality of scaffolding frames for ease of handling.

Another object is to provide such a device which permits scaffolding frames to be bound into a unit for loading by a fork lift or similar mechanical device.

Another. object is to provide such a device which reduces construction and shipping costs by minimizing the manual and mechanical labor required in handling, storing and transporting scaffolding frames.

Another object is to provide such a device which is of minimal weight and maximum strength.

A further object is to provide such a device which is versatile and adaptable for binding scaffolding frames and other objects of a wide variety of configurations into individual units for ease of handling.

Still further objects and advantages are to'provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view ofa pair of the devices of a first form of the present invention shown in their operational environment retaining a plurality of scaffolding frames in a unit.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one of the devices viewed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary front elevation taken on line 33 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary rear elevation taken on line 44 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 55 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the device of the second form of the present invention shown in its operational environment.

FIG. 7 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of the device viewed in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of the device viewed in FIG. 6 mounted in operational position relative to a scaffolding frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device of the first form of the present invention is generally represented by the numeral 10. As will become apparent, the device of the present invention is adaptable for binding together a wide variety of articles in a variety of specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. The two embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein are selected for illustrative convenience.

The device 10 is adapted to bind together a plurality of members such as the scaffolding frames 1 1, shown in FIG. 1, and referred to in trade as the walk through type". Each of the frames has a pair of spaced, substantially parallel leg members 12 interconnected at corresponding ends by a cross member 13 extending in substantially right-angular relation to and between the legs. A pair of brace members 14 are individually mounted on and extended from the leg members remote from the cross member diagonally toward and into connection with the cross member in spaced relation, as shown in FIG. 1. A cross bar 15 interconnects the brace members in spaced, substantially parallel relation to the cross member. A spacer bar 16 interconnects the cross bar and cross member of each frame substantially centrally disposed between the brace members so as to define fork receiving passages 17. A pair of reinforcement bars 18 are mounted on and extended in spaced, substantially parallel relation to connect each brace member with its adjacent respective leg member to define a frame opening 19. Each frame opening is bounded by its respective reinforcement bars, leg member and brace member to provide four corners 20 for the opening. As shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, a fork 21 of a fork lift, not shown, is adapted to be inserted in the fork receiving passages.

The device 10 has a rigid frame 25. The frame is composed of a first or stop plate 26 having dimensions greater than those of the frame opening 19 of the scaffolding frame 11 with which the device is adapted to be employed. It will be noted that the stop plate must be larger than the opening in at least one dimension in order to limit endward movement on the frame in that direction. Four rigid frame components or members 27 are secured, as by welding, on the stop plate in predetermined spaced, substantially parallel relation extending substantially right-angularly to the stop plate. The frame members shown in the drawings are tubular and have cylindrical surfaces 28. However, they may be of any other structural form desired. The frame members are mounted on the stop plate so as to define an exterior configuration corresponding to but slightly smaller than that of the openings 19 of the scaffolding frames 11. The frame members have remote end portions 29.

A substantially flat frame plate 30 is mounted, as by welding, on the remote end portions 29 of the frame members 27 extending in substantially right-angular relation therebetween so that the frame members define four corners for the frame plate, as best shown in FIG.

2. The frame plate thus has a peripheral edge 31 having a configuration corresponding to but slightly smaller than that of the frame openings 19 of the scaffolding frames 11. A bolt 32, having a screwthreaded portion 33, is mounted in the frame plate substantially centrally thereof with the screw-threaded portion extending in right-angular relation from the frame plate and away from the stop plate 26.

A second or binding plate 40, otherwise termed a stop, having a central bolt passage 41, is mounted on the frame plate 30 of the device 10 with the screwthreaded portion 33 of the bolt 32 extended through the bolt passage 41. The binding plate has opposite lip portions 42 which extend in right-angular relation to the binding plate and thence oppositely, outwardly parallel to the binding plate so as to define a plane spaced from the binding plate a distance preferably equal to or slightly greater than the length of the screw-threaded portion of the bolt, as best shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the bolt is recessed for protective purposes when the binding plate is mounted on the device 10. The binding plate is adapted to be secured, as described, on the screw-threaded portion of the bolt with a washer 43 and nut 44.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT The device of the second form of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral and shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. As previously stated, the devices of the present invention are adaptable for binding a wide variety of articles such as scaffolding frames into an integrated unit for ease of handling and the specific forms of the scaffolding frames are shown for illustrative convenience.

The device 110 is specifically adapted to secure a plurality of scaffolding frames 1 11, known in the trade as single ladder scaffolding frames, into a single unit. Such scaffolding frames have substantially parallel leg members 112 interconnected by a pair of spaced, substantially parallel cross members 113 in right-angular relation thereto. Each frame has a central brace member 114 rigidly interconnecting the cross members substantially centrally disposed between the leg members. A pair of reinforcement bars 115 interconnect, in spaced, substantially parallel relation, one of the leg members and the central brace member so as to define a frame opening 116 for the scaffolding frame. The reinforcement bars, leg member and brace member bound the frame opening so as to define four corners 117 for the opening.

The device 110 has a rigid metal frame 125. The frame has a first or stop plate 126 ofa rectangular configuration having dimensions greater than the frame opening 116 of the scaffolding frame 111. As with the first form of the invention, it will be noted that the stop plate must be larger in at least one dimension than the opening so as to limit endward movement on the frame in that direction. Four frame components or members 127 are mounted, as by welding, on the stop plate in spaced relation extending substantially normal to the stop plate, as best shown in FIG. 7. As before, although each of the frame members has a cylindrical surface 128 it may be of any other configuration desired. The frame members are positioned so that the members define a transverse configuration for the frame corresponding to but slightly smaller than that of the frame opening 116 of the scaffolding frame 111. The frame members have remote end portions 129 with a frame plate 130 secured therebetween in substantially rights angular relation to the frame members .so that the members define corners for the frame plate, as shown best in FIG. 7. Thus, the frame plate has a peripheral edge 131 having a configuration corresponding to but slightly smaller than the frame opening 116 of the scaffolding frame. A pair of bolts 132, having screwthreaded portions 133, are secured in spaced relation on the frame plate extending in substantially parallel relation to the remote end portions 129 of the frame members in a direction away from the stop plate 126.

A second or binding plate 140, otherwise termed a stop, having a pair of bolt passages 141 extending therethrough spaced to receive the bolts 132, is mounted with the screw-threaded portions 133 of the bolts 132 extended individually through the bolt passages, as shown in FIG. 7. The binding plate has opposite lip portions 142 formed by the plate extending first in right-angular relation to the binding plate parallel-to the bolts and thence outwardly from the binding plate in a plane spaced from the binding plate a distance equal to or slightly greater than the length of the threaded portions of the bolts. Thus, the bolts are recessed when the binding plate is mounted thereon. A pair of washers 143 and a pair of nuts 144 are individually received on the screw-threaded portions of the bolts in the conventional manner to secure the binding plate on the rigid frame. The stop plate 126, frame plate 130 and binding plate 140 preferably have central openings 145 therein insuring that the device 110 is of minimal weight while conserving the amount of metal required to construct the device.

OPERATION The operations of the described embodiments of the subject invention are believed to be clearly apparent and are briefly summarized at this point. As previously noted, the devices and 1 10 are employed in substantially the same manner to secure the scaffolding frames 11 and 1 11, respectively, into units of structural rigidity for ease of handling, storing and transporting. Such differences as exist between the devices 10 and 110 are required primarily by the differences in structures of the scaffolding frames with which they are intended to be employed.

It is envisioned that when a plurality of scaffolding frames 11 or 111 are purchased or rented for use at a construction site, they will be shipped in units bound together by the devices 10 or 1 10. Thus, the devices are readily available for subsequent use in binding the same scaffolding frames together for subsequent handling,

storing, or transporting.

With both devices 10 and 110, the procedure followed in binding the frames 11 and 111, respectively, is substantially the same. The binding plates 40 and 140 are removed from the rigid frames and 125 respectively by removal of the nuts 44 and 144 and their associated washers 43 and 143 respectively. The rigid frame of each device is then simply inserted in the frame openings 19 and 116 of the scaffolding frames, respectively. The frames are positioned in stacked relation on their respective frames with the stop plates 26 and 126 abutting the adjacent frame. Ordinarily approximately 27 to 30 of such scaffolding frames are received on each rigid frame to afford a unit of a size and weight convenient for handling when the frames are bound together by the devices. When the predefined number of scaffolding frames has been positioned on their respective rigid frames, the scaffolding frames collectively extend along the entire lengths of the frame members 27 and 127 respectively, as best shown in FIG. 5. Subsequently, the binding plates 40 an 140, re spectively, are mounted on the bolts 32 and 132 so that the opposite lip portions 42 and 142 of the binding plates engage the last scaffolding frames received on the devices. The nuts are then tightened into positions against their respective washers to lockthe scaffolding frames into a compact, rigid unit.

In the case of device 10, it is preferred that two such devices be employed to mount the scaffolding frames 11 as described in order to insure that the structural integrity of the scaffolding frames is preserved. Thus, the frames are not permitted to shift with respect to each other during handling, storage and shipment. As shown in FIG. 1, since the frame openings 19 of each scaffolding frame 11 have identical interior dimensions, a pair of such binding devices are simply individually inserted in their respective passages extending in opposite directions. Thus, the invention does not require the use of two such binding devices of right and left" configuration. However, where it may be desirable to insert the devices from the same side of the frames two devices of the right and left configuration can be employed. In the case of device 110, only one such unit is required in view of its substantially greater size in relation to the size of the scaffolding frame 111. As shown in FIG. 1, handling of the united scaffolding frames can be accomplished entirely mechanically using a fork lift, not shown, by inserting the fork 21 thereof in the fork passages 17. In the case offrames 111, handling is similarly accomplished by a fork lift.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with respect to device 10 and in FIGS. 6 and 8 with respect to device 110, the frames 25 and 125, respectively, are nested in the corners 20 and 117 of the respective scaffolding frames 11 and 111 to preclude rotational shifting of the scaffolding frames about the devices. It will be evident that a pair of such frame members 27 and 127 could be employed to nest in diagonally opposite corners rather than four to prevent such movement. However, for purposes of maximum strength, the four frame members are preferred as described.

Therefore, the devices of the present invention permit the binding together of a plurality of articles, such as scaffolding frames, in compact structurally rigid units preventing individual displacement of the articles of each unit relative to each other permitting mechanical handling of such units and wherein the binding operation can be performed expeditiously and inexpensively without danger of the units so formed losing their structural integrity during periods of prolonged shipment or storage. A

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device for binding a plurality of scaffolding frames into a unit'for ease of handling wherein said frames have individual substantially identical openings bounded on four sides by the frame, the device comprising a frame plate having four corners and a peripheral configuration corresponding to the openings; four rigid frame components individually secured on the frame plate at the corners thereof and extending in substantially rightanguiar relation therefrom substantially parallel to each other; a stop plate mounted on and interconnecting the remote ends of the frame components substantially parallel to the frame plate and hav ing a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension that said frame plate; a bolt and nut assembly mounted on the frame plate; and binding means, having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than the frame plate, for releasible attachment by the bolt and nut assembly on the frame plate in binding relation to a plurality of scaffolding frames received in stacked relation between the stop plate and said binding means with the frame components successively extending through the openings of said scaffolding frames to preclude rotational displacement of the frames relative to the frame components.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the binding means is a plate having opposite lip portions angularly bent substantially normal to the frame plate to recess the bolt and nut assembly and thence laterally bent along said larger dimension for overlapping, locking engagement with the adjacent scaffolding frame.

3. A device for uniting a plurality of articles having individual substantially identical openings with opposed corners, the device comprising a frame plate having corners and a periphery configured for insertion through said openings; a pair of rigid frame components individually secured on the frame plate at corners thereof and extending in substantially right-angular relation therefrom substantially parallel to each other; a stop plate mounted on and interconnecting the remote ends of the frame components substantially parallel to the frame plate and having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than said frame plate; means for releasible fastening mounted on the frame plate; and binding means having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than the frame plate, for releasible attachment by the fastening means on the frame plate in binding relation to a plurality of articles received in stacked relation between the stop plate and said binding means with the frame components successively extending through the openings of said articles to preclude rotational displacement of the articles relative to the frame components.

4. A device for binding a plurality of articles into a unit for ease of handling wherein said articles have individual substantially identical openings bounded on four sides by the article. the device comprising a frame plate having four corners and a peripheral configuration corresponding to the openings; four rigid frame components individually secured on the frame plate at the corners thereof and extending in substantially rightangular relation therefrom substantially parallel to each other; a stop plate mounted on and interconnecting the remote ends of the frame components substantially parallel to the frame plate and having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than said frame plate; a nut and bolt assembly mounted on the frame plate; and binding means, having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than the frame plate, for releasible attachment by the nut and bolt assembly on the frame plate in binding relation to a plurality of articles received in stacked relation between the stop plate and said binding means with the frame components successively extending through the openings of said articles to preclude rotational displacement of the articles relative to the frame components.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FHQE CERTIFICATE OF CREETEON Patent No. 3,915,393 Dated October 28, 1975 Inventor(s) Gerald F. Tatham It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, Line 25, after "the", in the first occurrence,

insert quotations before and after "right" and "leftfi Column 7, Line 8, delete "that and insert than an fitald this twentieth 9? January 19 6 [SEAL] AIIESI. 

1. A device for binding a plurality of scaffolding frames into a unit for ease of handling wherein said frames have individual substantially identical openings bounded on four sides by the frame, the device comprising a frame plate having four corners and a peripheral configuration corresponding to the openings; four rigid frame components individually secured on the frame plate at the corners thereof and extending in substantially right-angular relation therefrom substantially parallel to each other; a stop plate mounted on and interconnecting the remote ends of the frame components substantially parallel to the frame plate and having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than said frame plate; a bolt and nut assembly mounted on the frame plate; and binding means, having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than the frame plate, for releasible attachment by the bolt and nut assembly on the frame plate in binding relation to a plurality of scaffolding frames received in stacked relation between the stop plate and said binding means with the frame components successively extending through the openings of said scaffolding frames to preclude rotational displacement of the frames relative to the frame components.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which the binding means is a plate having opposite lip portions angularly bent substantially normal to the frame plate to recess the bolt and nut assembly and thence laterally bent along said larger dimension for overlapping, locking engagement with the adjacent scaffolding frame.
 3. A device for uniting a plurality of articles having individual substantially identical openings with opposed corners, the device comprising a frame plate having corners and a periphery configured for insertion through said openings; a pair of rigid frame components individually secured on the frame plate at corners thereof and extending in substantially right-angular relation therefrom substantially parallel to each other; a stop plate mounted on and interconnecting the remote ends of the frame components substantially parallel to the frame plate and having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than said frame plate; meaNs for releasible fastening mounted on the frame plate; and binding means, having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than the frame plate, for releasible attachment by the fastening means on the frame plate in binding relation to a plurality of articles received in stacked relation between the stop plate and said binding means with the frame components successively extending through the openings of said articles to preclude rotational displacement of the articles relative to the frame components.
 4. A device for binding a plurality of articles into a unit for ease of handling wherein said articles have individual substantially identical openings bounded on four sides by the article, the device comprising a frame plate having four corners and a peripheral configuration corresponding to the openings; four rigid frame components individually secured on the frame plate at the corners thereof and extending in substantially right-angular relation therefrom substantially parallel to each other; a stop plate mounted on and interconnecting the remote ends of the frame components substantially parallel to the frame plate and having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than said frame plate; a nut and bolt assembly mounted on the frame plate; and binding means, having a peripheral configuration larger in one dimension than the frame plate, for releasible attachment by the nut and bolt assembly on the frame plate in binding relation to a plurality of articles received in stacked relation between the stop plate and said binding means with the frame components successively extending through the openings of said articles to preclude rotational displacement of the articles relative to the frame components. 